It is thought that the Chinese game of "Kong," which involved combining cards into sets, is where Rummy got its start in the early 1800s. Different versions of rummy boldthe game were created as it spread throughout different cultures. Rummy had arrived in North America by the late 1800s, where it quickly became very popular. Its reputation as a popular card game was further cemented when it was frequently played at social events and established itself as a mainstay in American homes.